From 1970's 'HATE SPEECH' at Belfast's Ormeau Park, to a peaceful gem in the south of the city.
Вставка
- Опубліковано 10 кві 2024
- We’re entering the Ormeau park today via its main and grand Victorian entrance on the Ormeau Road, just beside the Ormeau bridge.
Sandwiched between the River Lagan’s Ormeau Embankment and the Ravenhill Road, this 100 acre site is one of South Belfast’s large green spaces - the other main one being the Botanic Gardens that I covered in another Naked Ireland film.
Just before we continue, I'm certain you appreciate how much time and effort creating these Naked Ireland videos takes.You can now buy me a pint as a means of appreciation for my work on Naked Ireland, no obligation, obviously, only if you can afford it... I appreciate it. Cheers.
www.buymeacoffee.com/nakedire...
The park was originally part of the Donegall family estate, they set up home here in 1807 in Ormeau Cottage. After accumulating family depts the family were forced to sell the estate to the Belfast Corporation in 1869.
The space was thus opened to the general hoi polloi (that’s us by the way - the public) shortly afterwards in 1871. So it is the oldest of the city’s municipal parks.
How the park came to be laid out is interesting. The public were encouraged to submit their ideas for the site and a 24 year old architect called Timothy Hevey was chosen. The park today still largely reflects young Timothy’s designs.
It plays host to a 5K parkrun every Saturday at 9.30am and a 2k junior parkrun on Sundays at the same hour. So the purpose of the park, as you might expect, is as an open space for the surrounding residents, but the park is also used for large events:
It’s impossible to discuss Belfast unfortunately without bringing religion and politics into it and Ormeau Park is not immune from this. It was for many years, for example, used as the venue for the 12th. For those of you viewing from outside Ireland and perhaps unfamiliar with our politics, the 12th of July is a day when loyalists celebrate the victory of King William of Orange over the Catholic King James in 1690.
The parks position on the opposite side of the lagan to the city centre places it in Upper Ormeau, which historically speaking was the Protestant part of the road, the Catholic Lower Ormeau being on the other side of the river. These days though that distinction has largely gone. Lower Ormeau is still mostly Catholic (though with a sizeable immigrant population) while across the river these days is a very mixed area. Belfast’s new young middle class has made it a very 'up-and-coming' district in recent years, and again there are people settling there from many parts of the world.
There are a number of little commemorations in the park, on benches and on trees, that remember loved ones who have passed. I’m guessing these people will have had a particular association with, or love of, the park. I’m thinking that if you are a nature lover, what better way to be remembered than in a beautiful park like this.
Just returning to the parks political history for a moment, it’s worth mentioning one particular and distinctive mass-meeting that was held here in March of 1972 by The Vanguard Movement, a new political party, led by Unionist Leader William Craig. Craig controversially announced..
"We must build up the dossiers on the men and women who are a menace to this country, because one day, ladies and gentlemen, if the politicians fail, it may be our job to liquidate the enemy"
It’s very hard to imagine in fact a public speaker saying something as radical as that today - even in N. Ireland’s crazy political environment - especially to such a large crowd - 100k people attended this rally. `Thankfully times have changed.
Moving on from politics, nowadays the park is more readily associated with Eco trails, orienteering routes a children’s playground and it offers a great mix of horticulture, woodland, flower displays and wildlife. It also contains playing fields, bowling greens with pavilions, a BMX track as well as basketball, tennis and netball courts, which we’ll see in a minute. What many people may not be aware of it that the park has won a Green Flag every year between 2011 and 2022, which is an award commending the best open spaces in the UK. Also, it’s great to know that if you have mobility issues then this park may still be for you as mobility scooters can be accessed free to Shopmobility members - you can collect them at the Tennis centre.
And if you’re here with your kids, the beautiful parkland is one thing, but they’ll want the swings, slides and roundabouts of the playground.
So I think you’ll agree that the Ormeau Park is really one of Belfast’s beautiful spaces.
On that note I’ll bid you farewell for now and I’ll see you all, fully subscribed perhaps, in the next Naked Ireland video.
Beatiful park. I would like to visit. Thank you for share your lovely vídeos. I love Ireland.😊
Thank you so much Patricia. It’s a pleasure to make videos for people like yourself who enjoy them so much.
Gem insight and Gem Park .......Sticking Out Big Lad
Thanks Gary.
What a lovely park. We miss parks as we have none within walking distance to where we live, my wife cannot walk far sadly these days. Its something you see here often in parks are benches with remembrance plaques on them, it’s a lovely idea, I think.
I do love the autumn colours, I think its my favourite time of the year. A cracking park that Greg, something for everything there, I know we would enjoy it if we visited.
So where are you off to next as my substitute Irish traveller? 😁
The next film is a real treat - the lovely town of Kinsale in County Cork. A colourful film!
@@nakedireland I look forward to that one Greg. I have been to Kinsale but it was many years ago, it will be interesting to see what I remember 😄
It’s one of those places that doesn’t change much - buildings are a bit more colourful perhaps!
I didnt know that the park was once used for the 12th venue
It was a discovery for me too.
Thank god times have changed indeed. It is such a beautiful Park and it should never again being used for massive political rallies. I have walked here many times with the dog, so relaxing and enjoyable. Belfast people may consider themselves lucky to have this place nearby. One thing I’m curious about. In the middle of the park is a little house. Is still anyone living in it?
I really don’t know about that house Frits, but I can try and find out.
I can't find where to buy you a Pint
Hi Gary, this is a comment worth answering! If you look at the description under the video (you might have to click ‘more’ to expand it) and read down a bit you’ll find a link on each video. Otherwise if you visit the channel homepage by clicking the Green Naked Ireland logo beneath the video, you’ll find a link there to ‘buymeacoffee.com’
More REPUBLICAN propaganda from this channel.
what do you mean ?